Word Origin & History

1772, said to be "a Wiltshire word," probably from an alteration (influenced by raucous) of Middle English contakour "troublemaker" (c.1300), from Anglo-French contec "discord, strife," from Old French contechier (Old North French contekier), from con- "with" + teche, related to atachier "hold fast" (see attach). With -ous. Related: Cantankerously; cantankerousness.

Example Sentences for cantankerous

"Well, of all cantankerous cranks he is the worst," he would say with a sigh.

Don't be cantankerous, and don't be subtle, because I've been bathing.

They were the most cantankerous, persistent race you can imagine.

You must have thought me cantankerous, and so I have been sometimes, but always by conviction and on principle.

It's no wonder he drinks, hitched up to a cantankerous old hyena like that.

Ha, there you are, you cantankerous little fabrication of nothings!

He was cantankerous at first, and told the clerk to go and be d——d.

You might meet Robert Fenley, and he would certainly be cantankerous.

But it's the cantankerous fact, and it simply has to stand to reason.

His disposition divided naturally into two, the boastful and the cantankerous.